Geneva commission again rejects plan for mega-warehouse
For the second time in less than a year, the Geneva Planning and Zoning Commission is recommending the denial of a request to allow a 719,200-square-foot warehouse on the northeast corner of Kirk Road and Fabyan Parkway.
The commission voted 4-1 Thursday against Venture One Acquisitions LLC of Rosemont’s requests to amend the city’s comprehensive plan for the 55.62-acre site, changing it from rural single-family residential to light industrial, and approving a site plan.
The commission denied the same request in August. It came before the commission again last week because Venture One withdrew its application before it went to the City Council for final action.
Mark Goode of Venture One said there is a demand for warehouses of this size in the area.
“This does fit into your long-term comprehensive plan to be a light industrial use in this area,” Goode said. “For a commercial use, you typically want a lot of residential around you. We just don’t think there’s enough residences in this area to support 57 acres of retail or commercial use here.”
David Walendziak was among a few residents who spoke out against the proposal, saying it is too large and would bring too much truck and car traffic.
“I am not against development of the east side to bring in new revenue,” Walendziak said. “But it has to be the right type of growth and in the right location.”
Walendziak said the east-side residents do not want more diesel pollution and truck noise.
“What the residents do want is residential,” Walendziak said. “We need affordable housing in Geneva. This is one of the last big sites left. … Housing for starting families, for seniors that they can afford to stay living here in Geneva.”
Commissioner Mim Evans also suggested that housing is the best use for the site.
“We need housing in this town, even if it isn’t technically affordable housing,” Evans said. “Housing is needed everywhere at every price point, at every level of density.”
City Planner Matt Buesing said the area has been vacant for years and is planned for commercial and industrial use.
“Residential has not been something that the city has thought would be a viable option at that location,” Buesing said.
But Evans said the housing market has changed drastically since the city’s Southeast Master Plan was adopted in 2003.
“My biggest concern is tying up this site with this particular kind of use and whether or not it is in the best interest — in the long run — of the city, committing to an additional warehouse-type project and eliminating the ability to balance development in the city,” Evans added.
The commission’s recommendation will go before the city council on May 20.